Use of propolis instead of antibiotics with CF

Question

Propolis is a resin-like mass with antibiotic, antiviral, and antimyotic effects produced by bees. The bees produce the substance in order to keep the beehive free of germs. There are two options to use this in diseases of the respiratory tracts:
1. The air from the beehives is sucked off and can be breathed in via an inhalation mask. This is only possible next to the beehive and with certain beekeepers.
2. A so-called Propolino is available for purchase, which is a jar in which you put a capsule containing propolis solution. This solution is heated and the substances that are released can be inhaled. The Propolino can be put up at night e.g. in the children’s room. This option is certainly not as effective as option no. 1.

Now my question concerning this: Do you have any experience with this method?

If not, can one try this method as a CF patient or are there any objections to it? Should one first try a propolis treatment (option no. 1) before switching to an i.v. antibiotics therapy?

Can option no. 2 be done prophylactically to strengthen the immune system so that regular use could immediately kill potential germs and the colonization of the lungs with germs can be prevented or at least delayed as long as possible?

Answer

Hello,

actually, I cannot find any reliable data on the use of propolis with CF. When using it complementarily/alternatively, one has to be aware that neither can sufficient standardization of the product be guaranteed (the exact mixture of propolis depends on the habitat of the bee colonies), nor is it known which harmful or beneficial effects it can have upon inhalation. I found that it can lead to hypoglycaemia and in the test tube there are hints to it being both inhibitive and conductive to inflammations, so that one cannot reliably tell what it potentially does in CF.

Kind regards,
Prof. Dr. TOF Wagner

22.03.2012